Nepal is one of the popular backpacking destinations in the world. This country is renowned for its natural beauty, rich tradition and culture and many more. Backpacking in Nepal is a great way to experience some of the amazing trekking, get off the beaten path, visiting the most wonderful tourist areas, and observe the rural life of this incredibly beautiful and welcoming country. This country is nestled in the Himalayas. So, Nepal is also well known for the beauty of these Himalayas. Nepal is a cheapest country for backpacking offering its visitors a wide range of wonderful sceneries, wildlife diversity and a unique blend of cultures and lifestyles.
Following are the things to be considered before backpacking to Nepal that will make your travel even easier and comfortable.
1. Visa
Nepal has a system of on arrival visa for most of the foreign countries. You can get your tourist visa Under the Department of Immigration. On Arrival Visa procedure is quick and simple. Make sure you fill up the form properly and also carry some USD dollar for the payment.
2. Currency
The currency of Nepal is Rupees. Nepali currency is a closed currency which means you cannot get it before arriving to Nepal. USD can be easily exchanged and is recommended if you are thinking to bring cash in Nepal.
Though many hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, still you need to carry a hand full of cash to pay in some local areas.
3. Weather
Weather of Nepal cannot be predicted. It keeps on varying. Still it has 4 seasons cycle.
December to February is the winter season in Nepal. This season receives snowfall in some areas too.
March to May is the spring season in Nepal. It is generally the best time to visit Nepal.
June to August is the monsoon season. During this season, you can see regular rainfall, fog and mist too.
September to November is the autumn season which is another suitable season for backpacking to Nepal. Sudden weather change can be expected during this season too.
4. Language
The main language spoken in Nepal is Nepali. Still, there are 123 different languages spoken by the Nepalese people. English is also spoken and understood in the major cities of Nepal. But if you travel to some of the remote areas, then you may have some communication issues. You can learn some of the basic Nepali words or also you can hire a guide for this too.
5. Religion / Culture
Nepal has an amazingly incredible religion culture and harmony. Hinduism is the first religion in Nepal followed by Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and others. You can find many temples, monasteries and historical places throughout your visit. The capital city of Nepal is Kathmandu which is also known as the city of temples.
Nepal is a home to 125 ethnic groups with distinct cultures, traditions and rituals. Despite this there is a religious tolerance and each ethnic group shows the great hospitality to the visitors in their own unique way.
6. Food
The sphere of food in Nepal is primarily inspired by Chinese and Indian cuisines. But still you can find delicacies in the continental as well as local traditional food from around the world here. Dal Bhat is the staple food of Nepal. Steamed rice is served with the lentil soup, curries and cooked meat. Likewise, momo is another popular food in Nepal. It is the most commonly available food in Nepal. You can also find the street food in the cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. You should be very careful while choosing the food and drinks. Always consider the hygienic place to have your meals.
7. Accommodation
There are many hotels, lodges, home stays and guest houses for your accommodation. According to your travel budget, situation, interest, you can choose any of the mentioned accommodation to stay in Nepal. The price may vary according to the location, luxury and the services provided. Also you can carry a tent and a sleeping bag, in case you want to stop somewhere and stay on your own.
8. Places to Visit
Nepal is rich in natural beauty, unique culture, art and architecture. It may take a lot to visit each and every corner of Nepal within a short period of time. Here is a list of some of the major places to visit in Nepal:
- Kathmandu
- Pokhara
- Lumbini
- Mustang
Kathmandu is rich in unique art and architecture along with amazing landscape. There are many beautiful places to visit in Kathmandu. Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath, Durbar Squares are some of the major places to visit in Kathmandu.
Pokhara is another beautiful city that has an amazing natural beauty. Also in this city you can carry out some of the adventure activity like, paragliding, boating etc. Phewa Taal, Mahendra Cave, Davis Fall, International Mountain Museum, Bindhyabasini Temple are the major places to visit in Pokhara.
Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha. It has a lot of historical significance and religious importance. It is the famous destination among Buddhists from all around the world with more than 20 Buddhist Monasteries.
Mustang is another popular place to visit in Nepal. Mustang is an ancient forbidden Kingdom bordered by Tibetan Plateau and sheltered by some of the world’s tallest peaks. It is rich in trans-Himalayan biodiversity. This district is divided into Upper and Lower Mustang. Upper Mustang is mostly popular for adventure trekking and lower mustang is famous for natural scenery.
9. Things to do
Nepal is a popular tourist hub well known for both hard and soft adventures. Some of the top activities that can be done in Nepal are listed below:
- Bungee Jumping
- Canyoning
- Jungle Safari
- Paragliding
- Mountain Flight
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